DVDs have been couriered

We have already couriered over 60 sets of DVDs ( 2 Video DVDs and 2 Photo DVDs) to most of them registered participants. We are still expecting few more to be sent shortly. Santhanam has carried a bunch to US and has sent them to Pagalavan. Pagal will send them to all addresses in US.

If you have registered , but have not received the DVDs, please contact us. Thanks

AJB

Silver Jubilee of CEG 79-84 - A grand memorable event

Dear Friends

The 25th Year Reunion at CEG went all well. It was joyful, emotional and peaceful. We are expecting the photos of the events to arrive in the next few days.

We will upload the same and share the links with you.As soon as the DVD are ready, we will despatch them all.

Personally I would like to thank

Saravanan - For networking extremely well and managing the College events with Teachers and Guests and managing the Transport and making the 2nd day event memorable for the kids and family members. You are the moving force behind the event.

Rajeshwar and Sridhar & Akila Rajeshwar and Vidya Sridhar and their families - For the very detailed planning of all the items relating to the goodies, event agenda, registration kit preparation, the on stage event sequence and conducting all the event organizing meetings at your homes. Without you people, the flow of event would not have been as smooth as it was in all aspects.

Nagarajan and Murugesan - Nagarajan for being an excellent Negotiator with the Resort Managment, including till verifying the final bill and Murugesan for taking all the pains to making sure, all moneys are received and banked and accounted for.

Siddharth Sahi (Puppy) - For making sure, we get the best from the Chef and ensuring that all the children and adults enjoy the food. Every change you made was very thoughtful.

Sayee Sundar - For your thoughtful suggestions and feedbacks.

Thirumaran, Manick, Pagal and Rathinakumar and Nabnita - For helping me communicating with all electronically. This is more important, because, I would not have started this well but for Maran. Manick for being catalyst and constant source of encouragement. Pagal for his enthusiastic support all through out andRathinakumar for personally calling me an encouraging me when I was frustrated with the responses in the early days. Nabnita helping reach all the Women alumni.

This list could well include all the Alumni and their Family Members, because without participation no amount of organizing would have made the event as successful as it was..

This is an example of amazing team work, like a open source software project, without any central control, but with maximum participation.

Thank you friends.

AJB

Wanted Old Scanned Photos for 25G84

Folks,

We are planning to have a Photo Projection Session during the Event on June 27, 2009 to recall our campus days. In this regard, it would nice to have the Old photos from you all (even if you are unable to take part in the event, it would be great have them).

Could you please search them and take them out and scan and send it to us at AJBALA AT GMAIL DOT COM or upload in www.picasaweb.com and let us download by sending the link to this above email id.  Tell our friends about this request.

BTW, the event organizing process is gaining great momentum. We will keep you updated. Exciting days ahead. 

AJB

Transportation and Other Arrangements on June 27 & 28,2009

You may have noticed that we have 79 bookings already for the event. We expect at least 15 more families to join us. If you have not confirmed your registration, please do now, by submitting your details now.  Register here!

We are planning to arrange Transport for the benefit of those who may not use their own transport  on the Reunion dates. We assume most of those based out of Chennai with personal transport may prefer to use their own transport. For the others, especially who are coming from outside Chennai, we are planning to arrange bus, van and car ( a combination of these modes) to transport people from College venue on June 27, 2009 after lunch to Resort. Then we also plan to drop those who have opted Option B, after the Dinner on June 27 2009 at the resort. 

For this we are collecting data from all those registered. We have created a form for this purpose and are mailing links and forms to all those emails submitted with us.  Please make sure you fill this form as soon as possible. Also inform our friends to fill their details here. This much needed information will help us to make sure, people reach their destination easily after the event. Let us know, if you have any suggestions.

In this regard, we may be having a meeting of organizing volunteers this week, during the week days. If you would like to take part in the meeting, please do join us. 

Thanks

AJB

Some Letter Collage

I found a web service for creating  artwork using random letters and here some of them for our event. Please comment

` AJB

Booking Terms finalized at Ideal Beach Resorts

Today a team of our friends, Sahi, Nagarajan, Saravanan, Sridhar and Kalai, have visited Ideal Beach Resort and finalized exact terms with them. Earlier we were not sure about the total occupancy, now we feel that we may hit 75 families finally. The Team members have also looked at the space/facilities once again and rooms and made some plans.  They also have tried their food. Now that we have over 50 families confirming for the overnight stay at resort, we may have to plan for the spill over booking beyond the 75 families. However, without accurate requirement, we cannot initiate any discussion with any nearby second resort to accommodate the spillover in excess of 75 families. Also, we have to expect that the rates and quality in the second resort or hotel may not as it is at Ideal Beach Resort. It may be costlier as we may not get bulk booking discount, as well as rates may be different. To enable us plan and seal this terms early, we need your help. Please rush your registration as soon as possible. And also request our other friends register and send the money ASAP. We would try our best to accommodate all in the best possible place. However, we need to know the requirement as early as possible. We hope you would understand  the problem in organizing this.  Thanks and looking forward to your support.

~ AJB

Now we have 66 Registrants and Why the form is so long?

Friends,

We are happy to announce that as on today we have 66 participants for 25G84

When we started, all of us, were concerned about getting at least 75 families for the overnight stay in resort, as we wanted to book all the 75 rooms there. Now we are confident, we may cross 75 eventually. We learn that many people are yet to register and would do so soon. Some have expressed that the form for registration is long. I admit, it is my mistake. However, we were left with no option when we decided to announce the event registration, expect to meet with different expectations. First we wanted to just have only one amount as contribution and force all the join the party. But then many were reluctant to accept this proposal. Some wanted to contribute according to what they enjoy. Then some said that they may not be able to stay late. After lots of discussion we evolved these options and wanted to collect all the relevant data so that tracking of payment and contacts are accurate. Hence this long form. Please bear with us. But assure you, if you spend about 10 minutes, you can complete this form and help us plan better. Please rush your registration ASAP.

AJB

Last Date extended to Feb 20, 2009 For registration

Folks

About 46 registrations have been received as at Feb 11, 2009, 9.15 pm. We would like to thank all those friends who have helped us achieve this number. We are confident the final tally will touch 200. Now it is your duty to push your other friends to come and sign up. We are likely to confirm the resort this weekend with an assumption that the expected and assured 70 families would make it. You may be aware this 70 room booking is necessary get the deal at the rates that we have budgeted. Please talk, email, send SMS and do whatever to reach those who have not registwered yet, to add more numbers. 

Thanks and we look forward to having wonderful time.

~ AJB

30 Alumni have registered, with 87% opting for Option C

As on Feb 08, 2009, 11.30 am IST, 30 Alumni have confirmed their registration, with 87% (26 of them out of 30)  of them opting for Option C.  We thank all those have helped us in this regard and we look forward to a great time, in June 2009.

Nearly 23 of them are coming either with spouses and families. 

Check the details here, which is being updated regularly.

We expect this number to go upto 75. We need to follow-up personally to get the message across as soon as possible. The deal at Ideal Beach Resort was assured on the basis of our booking the full resort, 75 families. Hence, we request you all to follow up with the others who have not yet firmed up their plans. 

In the mean while, please send us your old (scanned) photos of our alumni, for a picture show during the event.

- AJB

2 Adult and 2 Grown-up Kids - Which Option to choose?

Friends, 

We have been asked by some of our friends, who might have got married early and have children who are adults now :-), unlike several others like me, who married late!

Our guidelines are as below:

If your children are grown-up, then you may choose the options accordingly.

Depending on the age of your children and the level of comfort required, you may choose the options accordingly.

2 Adults + 1 Child -- No extra bed
2 Adults + 2 Children - One extra bed ( Rs.15500)
2 Adults + 3 Children - Two extra beds (Rs.16500)

Some people with 2 grown up children may still need 2 extra beds. these persons can choose the option of 2 Adults + 3 Children.

Please note, we still have to adjust to avoid having two separate rooms for each family. The cost is estimated on the assumption of 1 room per family of 2 or 2+2 or 2+3. People wanting separate rooms for their grown up children can choose 2 times the option of 2 adults.

Suit rooms have twin rooms like arrangement, where we may accommodate two families who may be willing to share and having appropriate number of people. Suit rooms can also be allocated to families who choose the option of 2 times 2 adults.

We feel this arrangement provides for optimal usage of all types of rooms. Any other special requirements like additional room etc can be intimated to us in advance. We will check and inform the availability and the additional cost, if any.

Please contact us with your requirements to make arrangements.

We will also discuss about this in Today's meeting at Alumni Club.

-AJB

Meeting of Organizers Saturday Jan 31, 2009

Folks,

We are planning to meet on Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 at 7 pm in the Alumni Club to review the progress and to take further steps on the 25th year Reunion.

Please do join us

AJB

Check Who are coming on JUne 27 & 28, 2009

Folks

We have set up a page to update the Registered Participants List here!

Check this out to meet your buddies.

AJB

A website for 25G84 - Guindy84 25th year Reunion

Folks ,

We have set up a website for the 25th year reunion, using the free service offered by Googlepages. We have plans to go for a full professional website shortly.

You obviously notice some quality issues, due to the constraints in the tools and services provided by Google. You may also be aware that now they have suspended working on this service. 

In the mean while, please visit this site and check out the details and give us your feedback,

http://guindy84.googlepages.com 

LAST DATE FOR REGISTRATION: FEB 10, 2009 - HURRY!!

We can not delay confirming the resort as they may not hold the rooms for us. Please co-operate with us.

- AJB

Help Document for Registering and sending Payment for the 25th year Reunion

 

Welcome to Guindy84 Alumni 25^th Year Reunion Registration Process.

Please fill in the details of your participation / Registration and Payment details here.

This online form is to help you submit details of your registration for the event, details of remittances and to ensure that the organizers track your payment receipts correctly and update the system. This would also help us generate reports to manage the event smoothly, by eliminating lots of manual follow-up. Hence, please fill this form without fail as part of the Payment remittance process. Payments are to be sent by off-line mode or wire transfer as described below. 

Briefly the programme will be as below:

27th June  2009  10:00 AM : A formal meeting at CEG with Faculty starting at 10 am., which would be followed by Lunch at Noon.

27th June  2009   02:00 PM : Moving to Ideal Beach Resorts with Family and Friends by transport

27th June  2009  05:00 PM : Evening functions, events and Cocktail and Dinner. Dropping back those who wants to return at 10:00 PM. Those who opt will stay back in the Resort.

28th  June 2009   08:00 AM : Breakfast - Informal Meeting of friends. The event will end with Lunch.

Venue: We have negotiated a deal with Ideal Beach Resorts, in ECR Chennai outskirts for the evening functions and dinner and stay on 27th and 28th June 2009.

To learn more about Ideal Beach Resorts, please visit their website at http://www.idealresort.com.

In order to accommodate different types of requirements, we have arrived at three different options. We also estimated the cost based on the number of participants from each family.

Option A  -  Attend function at College audi, Lunch, Photograph session, receive memento/souvenir  (Dinner at Resort is not included in Option A)

Option  B -  The Participants will attend the Function in the College on 27th June 2009. Shortly after Lunch, we will move to Ideal Breach Resort http://www.idealresort.com on ECR on the outskirts of Chennai and stay with the gathering till 27th Dinner at Resort and get dropped back to Chennai after dinner.                                                              

Option  C -   Participants opting Option C, will continue to stay in the Resort over night on 27th June in luxury rooms with Family and Friends, have break fast the next day morning, enjoy cozy get to-gathers during the day and stay till Lunch on 28th June 2009 and then get dropped back to Chennai on 28th June afternoon. We strongly recommend this option to one and all.

Depending on your convenience and interest, you can select one of the following.

For more details on the rates and costing estimation details, please visit http://www.tinyurl.com/budgetG84  - This spreadsheet also has some basic details about the programme. More details on the programme will be added as we go.

Contribution (Including minimum Donation of Rs.1000/= per alumni to college)

 

Options ( No of participants)à	Single	Two	2 +1	2+2	2+3
OPTION A ( Attend only the function at College)	2500	3000	3500	4000	4500
OPTION B (Party upto Dinner on 27th and get dropped back in City)	3800	5000	6100	7200	8200
Option C ( With Over night Stay on 27th night and upto Lunch on June 28th) BEST OPTION!	6800	11000	12600	15500	16500

 

For details on estimation, please check at http://www.tinyurl.com/budgetG84

 You may choose one of the following modes of Payment. Last Date for Booking Feb 10, 2009

1. Sending a crossed Cheque or Demand Draft drawn on favour of "Guindy84 Alumni Association" Drawn on a bank in Chennai

2. Sending a wire transfer to ICICI Bank Account No.

             ACCOUNT NAME:GUINDY84 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

             BRANCH:CHENNAI BRANCH,,CHENNAI-18

             ACCOUNT NUMBER:000101220147.

favouring "Guindy84 Alumni Association" towards 25th Year Reunion.

For details on wire transfer, please check at ICICI Bank site  here http://www.icicibank.com/pfsuser/icicibank/ibank-nri/nrinewversion/list_wiretransfer.htm

If you are sending remittance in foreign currency, please calculate the value based on the rate on the date of remittance.

3. You may also remit the amount to the ICICI Bank account through online transfer from ICICI Bank or Other Indian banks which provide such Online transfer facilities.

4. Finally for some reason, if you want to remit cash, you have to reach Murugesan at +91 98410 52473 / Office Tel. : 91-44-2254 2950, 91-44-4204 5251 and fix with him to deliver cash. Please avoid cash remittance.

5. You can mail the Cheque or DD to this following address

                    Mr. A. Murugesan,

                    C/O  APPLIED DATA SYSTEMS LTD

                    Type - II, Unit 7, Hertz Avenue,

                    Dr.V.S.I. Estate, Thiruvanmiyur,

                    Chennai - 600 041. INDIA.

6. Payments may be sent in multiple installments. Each time, when you send a payment, please enter the details in this Form and submit, to enable us track the payment receipts.

7. When you enter for the first time, you will not have a registration number. However, we will send you a registration number as soon as you complete the first registration. In subsequent submissions, please use this registration number when you submit the details for payment.

8. As soon as we receive the payment, we will send an acknowledgment by email.

If you have any doubt or need any clarification or assistance, please send a mail to ajbalaATgmail.com or adsATadsvoicce.com or guindy84ATyahoogroups.com    Or call the following at people for clarification or assistance; please note, during working hours, you may have to check their convenience.

 Murugesan A at +91 98410 52473

Nagarajan K  at +91 9962052013

Sridhar K  at +91 9841071558

Saravanan at +91 9444777007

Siddharth Sahi at +91 9381006536

Rajeshwar at +91 98407 20690

Kalaivannan +91 9444008500

A J B at +91 9282441671

You may also please update your address and contact details here in this Website http://www.tinyurl.com/contactsG84 , if you have not done so far.

We also request you to spread this message to our other friends and encourage them to register and take part in this very important event of our life.

Please note the following quick links for more details

Updating contacts http://www.tinyurl.com/contactsG84  Help document: http://tinyurl.com/helpdocG84   

Registration and Payment Data submission http://www.tinyurl.com/regformG84

Budget estimation details http://www.tinyurl.com/budgetG84

Ideal Beach Resort http://www.idealresort.com  

Thanking you and looking forward to your family,

Organizing Volunteers - 25G84 - The 25th Year Reunion

Minutes of the Second Meeting on 25G84 – Reunion - Dates Finalized: 27 & 28 June 2009.

Minutes of the Second Meeting on 25G84 – Reunion - Dates Finalized:  27 & 28 June 2009.

 

Summary & Bullet Points

Dates Finalized:  27 & 28 June 2009.

-          Based on the email conversation and the discussions in the meeting, it was felt the following should be the criteria for organizing and moving forward

o   Participation should be maximized

o   Cost of Participation is to be reduced without compromising quality. Smart negotiations will be done with service providers to get best value for money.

o   We will tap in to voluntary contributions from our own members and try for sponsorships if possible, to cover additional expenses.

o   There should not any entry bearer due to cost of participation and the option to take part must be flexible in different segments of the event.

o   Cost estimation and Event details would be evolved after finding out more details on costs on possible event details and Hotel to be booked

o   The System will be transparent, so that all suggestions are examined for feasibility and decisions taken on the basis of the above criteria. After the decision is taken, we would implement the same, even though all of us may not agree on certain points.

o   We should also use the experience of the previous batches to make sure, we do not repeat the same mistake. However, we should consider innovative ideas.

 

Decisions Taken

1.       27 & 28 of June 2009 is fixed as the Event Date. No alternation on these will be made. These dates are fixed favoring people from abroad to join us without much difficulty.

2.       First Day event will be at College, till lunch time. (Details will be worked on)

3.       We will have party and event on the first day, from late afternoon till night in a resort with all the people taking part in this event.

4.       Those who want to stay at Resort will continue that night

5.       Others will be dropped back in Chennai City by arranging transport.

6.       We may engage an event management company.

7.       This weekend a list of about 10 Resorts of different types will be reviewed by a team for rates and facilities. We may not be able to accommodate all the families in one resort and hence, we may try to arrange in 2 or 3 Resorts nearby. Functions may be held in one resort and people will be transported to the place of stay or back to Chennai, depending on their choice.

8.       A flat amount of contribution will be fixed per family. However, people are requested to pay voluntary contribution to cover additional cost. This will help manage the event without increasing the entry cost. Further at the moment accurate estimate may not be easy.

9.       The existing account opened and managed by Murugesan, Siddharth Sahi and Rajeshwar as Signatories with ICICI Bank will be continued to be used for this event also.

10.   The last date for confirmation and advance payment of Rs.5,000/= will have to be paid by Feb 15, 2009.  The balance amount to be paid will be announced after the estimation is completed by next week (say Jan 15, 2009).

11.   The details of accounts remittance will be mailed to all and will be made available in some Website.

12.   Members can continue to post their suggestions in emails as well as in the Web Contacts update form

13.   A core team of organizing committee will be constituted in the next meeting. However, all are welcome to contribute for organizing effort.

  

 

The following of our friends attended this meeting at Alumni Club

1.       Balamurugan

2.       Kalaivannan

3.       Muruganandam

4.       Murugesan

5.       Nagarajan

6.       Raghunathan

7.       Rajeshwar

8.       Saravanan

9.       Sayee Sundar

10.   Siddharth Sahi

11.   Sridhar K

12.   Suresh (Civil/IIT)

13.   Vetrivel

14.   AJB

 

-          We also talked to Manick, Mani ( Mech Tgd), Soundrapandian,Natarajan (City) over phone during the meeting. PC Prakash was there in the club at the time of the meeting and met us all.

 

We look forward to your feedback

 

-          For an On behalf of Organizing Volunteers of 25G84

-          A J B